Gaia GPS for Android – 3.0

We launched Gaia GPS for Android last summer, and with the release of v3.0 today, I must say – I think the app has arrived.

I wish I could claim more of a role in building the Android app, but it’s our friend Abhishek who leads Android development, and he works tirelessly and relentlessly. More and more, I see Gaia on Android surpass Gaia on iPhone, which is really quite motivating for us on the iOS side of things 🙂


Gaia GPS for Android, map screen.

For posterity, here’s a recap of Gaia’s updates since we launched on May 15, 2010, including the new stuff in v3.0. It’s amazing what you can do in a year – thanks to all the users for telling us how to make the app good, and Abhishek for making it happen:

August 3, 2011 (v3.0)

  • faster map scrolling
  • map scale
  • tool to measure distance between two points
  • ability to import waypoints from gpx files.
  • fixed track imports. Now each track segment is imported as separate track – will later allow segments in single track
  • added in-app file browser to import tracks from filesystem.
  • other bug fixes.

July 27, 2011 (v2.2.1)

  • fixed pinch-zoom crash affecting android 2.1 and 2.2
  • fixed crash on startup for some users
  • other bug fixes

July 9, 2011 (v2.2)

  • continuous pinch zoom on map
  • tap POIs on map to see details and do actions now
  • TrailBehind.com waypoint overlays on the map (trails, parks, and more)
  • added ability to open POIs in Google Maps and get Driving Directions
  • optimizations for use on tablets
  • fixed start-up crash affecting some users
  • other bug fixes

May 6, 2011 (v2.1)

  • added the ability to import/export track files
  • fixed issues with map downloading on various devices
  • set up for full screen display on tablet devices (still work-in-progress)
  • added long press to drop a pin on the map
  • faster map tiles download when viewing maps
  • other important memory optimizations

February 27, 2011 (v2.01)

  • v2.01 includes bug fixes based on logs we received from users
  • there are no functional changes from v2.0

February 23, 2011 (v2.0)

  • v2.0 is a major overhaul to the app
  • now includes the capability to record tracks
  • view statistics, altitude, and speed graphs
  • new version also includes a main iconic menu and new navigation scheme
  • fixed numerous bugs and did extensive beta-testing

September 17, 2010 (v1.41)

  • fixed bug in Guide to Waypoint

September 17, 2010 (v1.4)

  • added a “guide to waypoint” menu option, on screens for saved waypoints
  • CloudMade cycle/topo maps can now be cached offline
  • added nautical units setting
  • max zoom for map downloads now defaults to better values
  • fixed a bug that could cause map downloads to stall
  • updated the user manual

August 13, 2010

  • added a compass overlay to map screen
  • added the ability to edit waypoint and map names
  • app will now remember last map position, even within a saved map
  • improved map download infrastructure (moved out of database to make it more stable)
  • changed “tracking enabled” message to “location enabled”
  • added a button to switch map type or to a saved map on the map screen

June 14, 2010

  • added the ability to mark waypoints
  • added map source button to map controls

May 26, 2010

  • different coordinate types (Decimal, DMS, UTM, MGRS, DDM)
  • pinch zoom
  • autolocalize units to metric or imperial based on phone locale

May 17, 2010

  • Fixed download notification not displaying on Android 2.1 devices.
  • Fixed memory problems that could cause crashes when downloading maps and elsewhere.

May 15, 2010

  • Initial release.